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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $50K salary, 0 cities (0%) meet this threshold. That's a tough market. We ran the numbers on 2 cities in Nebraska using 2026 census, rent, and salary data. Lincoln comes o…
The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $50K salary, 0 cities (0%) meet this threshold. That's a tough market. We ran the numbers on 2 cities in Nebraska using 2026 census, rent, and salary data. Lincoln comes out on top — here's the full ranking and analysis.
Buried in the data is a finding that changes the conversation: 0 of 2 cities keep rent under 30% of $50K. And in practical terms, the 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $50K salary, 0 cities (0%) meet this threshold. That's a tough market. The practical impact: more room for childcare, savings, or just breathing room (though the trend is moving in the right direction).
Look, Lincoln earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. And in most cases, the 76 cost index sits 35 points below the national baseline, and the $69,991 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $285,359 — $182,011 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 76, while Healthcare trails at 95 (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
On a $50K salary, the key number is $1,250/month — that's 30% of gross, the standard affordability line. Lincoln ($1,293/mo, 31%), Omaha ($1,403/mo, 34%) all clear that bar. After federal tax, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax, estimated take-home ranges from $37,202 to $37,202/year across these top picks.
Stepping back, The 2 cities we track in Nebraska paint a clearly affordable picture. Average cost index: 79. Median rent: $1,348/month. Household income: $71,350. Nebraska is known for flyover affordability hiding in plain sight — and the data backs that reputation convincingly.
What to do with this data: use the ranking as a shortlist, then dig into the city profiles for trend lines and category breakdowns. The difference between #1 and #5 is often smaller than the difference between "good on paper" and "actually fits my life." Compare your top picks with our calculator to see real take-home numbers.
#1 Ranked: Lincoln — cost index 76, rent $1,293/mo, income $69,991
0 of 2 cities keep rent under 30% of $50K
0 of 2 cities keep rent under 30% of $50K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
294,757 residents · Nebraska
Dive into Lincoln's numbers: cost index 76 — which, honestly, is lower than you'd expect here — (35 points below national average), rent $1,293/month, income $69,991, and a home price of $285,359. And more often than not, about what you'd guess. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 76, while Healthcare runs 95. With 294,757 residents, it balances mid-size city convenience with manageable costs.
483,335 residents · Nebraska
Frankly, Here's Omaha by the numbers — and there's a lot to like (and a little to watch). Cost index: 82. Rent: $1,403/month. Income: $72,708/year. Home price: $288,850. Population: 483,335. The strongest category is Housing at 82; the most expensive is Healthcare at 96. Translate that rent to annual numbers, and residents are saving renters $5,904 per year vs. the national median. Even in a down market, this kind of cost structure protects household budgets.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Lincoln | 5.84% | 6.94% | 1.54% | $37,202 |
2Omaha | 5.84% | 6.94% | 1.54% | $37,202 |
Lincoln ranks #1 in Nebraska for this analysis with a cost index of 76 and median income of $69,991.
Yes. On a $50K salary in Lincoln, rent would consume about 31% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. It's tight — consider a roommate or nearby suburb.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Lincoln (ranked #1) has a cost index of 76 and rent of $1,293/mo, while Omaha (ranked #2) has a cost index of 82 and rent of $1,403/mo — a 6-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Lincoln is $1,293/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $602 below the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 5.84% state income tax, estimated take-home on $50K in Lincoln is approximately $37,202/year ($3,100/month). After median rent of $1,293/month, you'd have roughly $21,686/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Lincoln is $285,359, which is 4.1× the local median income. It's on the edge of affordability for median-income households. The national median home price is $467,370.
Nebraska has a 5.84% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 6.94%, and the effective property tax rate is 1.54%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.